49ers' George Kittle gets $77 million contract update during NFL Draft

Billy Heyen

49ers' George Kittle gets $77 million contract update during NFL Draft image

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle made a huge decision on Friday.

The star TE returned to the 49ers facility.

San Francisco was hosting offseason conditioning, and Kittle initially didn't show up to start the week.

That made people believe he was far off on a deal.

Kittle is speculated to be seeking a four-year, $77 million deal, since tight end Trey McBride of the Cardinals got $76 million.

On Friday, progress was made.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Kittle was back in the building "as the two sides continue to discuss a contract extension.

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It'd be nice, for sure, to see the 49ers get a deal done and manage to keep Brock Purdy, too.

Kittle is Purdy's most trusty offensive weapon. They may go hand in hand as far as contract extensions are concerned, too.

Now we find out just how much Jed Work is willing to pay. 

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Purdy might need $50 million a year. Kittle might need $80 million total.

Those are the big bucks, and it's hard to say for sure whether either is worth it. 

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But when the outcome is either keep the franchise players around or risk them walking away or requesting a trade, you've got to do it. Quarterbacks especially don't just grow on trees.

Purdy's contract seems to be loading. Kittle's is a different approach but doesn't feel dead yet, either. Put them together and they're worth a fortune. Hopefully San Francisco realizes that lead and follows suit.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle